Help? I regret this career choice?

[katie6126]

I really regret choosing nursing and lately idk what it is but I have been having breakdowns dreading the brutal schedule I'm going to have as a new nurse if I ever find a job. I'm going to have no social life or time for myself. I know this profession is a bit about being selfless but I really don't want to play a martyr. I know the deal in the hospital is weekends and holidays but after much thinking this isn't something I want to give up either. Please no "well uh why didn't you realize this in nursing school?" truthfully then I had a passion for it and probably didn't think too much on how big of a sacrifice it was going to be. Is there ANYTHING else I can possibly do in the healthcare field that would accept me when I get my bachelor's in nursing? Or is there any bachelor's program I can look (allied health) into that will accept most of my science credits & I could finish it relatively soon and leave this horrible profession behind? Or just any program in general that you could recommend cause I have no idea what I want to do, I was even thinking turning to finance or marketing but that is going to take me another 3-4 yrs to complete.

[Amnesty]

A lot of assumptions:

- I have actually not gone to many parties, I'm quite more of a bookworm then anything else. Idk what about my post made you conclude I was some lazy, degenerate club rat but m'kay

- Wasn't expecting an 80K a year job

- So because I want to take a different path, and try to ask for some suggestions on alternatives to either:

A.) My education as a whole (i.e. something diff then nursing, but somewhat related or perhaps by the end of this I'll realize I want something unrelated)

B.) Career alternatives with a BSN

the answer I'm looking for is to CLEARLY work at Starbucks. Lmao, ok then.

I'm not sure how my post makes you think I want boat loads of money for zero work, I am asking for suggestions of what else to do and half of the responders to this thread are blowing a gasket, although some managed not to lose their heads over this.

I think most aren't "blowing a gasket" so much as wondering (like I am now) why you haven't responded to the way that many of the people in your thread addressed your concerns. You have written nursing off without having experienced it as a career yet, and you haven't answered them when they've asked why that is. You said it was because you didn't want to have to work 12s, nights, weekends, etc., but many have said that you don't have to do that in a lot of positions, and you still seem to want out. What's the real reason here? You're giving a lot of mixed answers, and seem to be flat-out ignoring 75% of the advice/questions in the thread.

Not being able to find a job is hard. Having to wait several more years to find a job in a field where entry-level jobs are even more sporifice, only after going back to school for yet more costly education, is much harder than sticking it out a few more months to find a job you can really mesh with as an RN.

You wrote off an entire profession as sucky without giving a single solid irrefutable reason for why you might think that's true. If you honestly don't get why your approach to this is upsetting, I have no idea what to even say to you except good luck.

[Marshall1]

Home health agencies and hospices (at least in the area I live) hire nurses as marketers all time - in fact, most of the companies around here prefer an RN so that may be an area to look into. You could use your degree, make a decent living and have a M-F schedule.

[danielle2000, MSN, RN]

You have to also consider why nurses work themselves like crazy too. I work in California land of the overpriced!!! It is not uncommon for RNs to live above their means to obtain expensive homes and cars that would not suffice having only one job. They work two jobs and they are miserable and crying the blues trying to keep up with the Jones's instead of keeping it real. They constantly complain hating life but will not relinquish the materialistic mentality that has ensued their psyche!!! So do not believe the hype. Though, some nurses do have a legitimate beef about their work they are most likely to change things because they are not bogged down with a high debt ratio. Sometimes it is not all what it appears once you see how some RNs live. I learn in this profession that all money is not good money!! A piece of mind is priceless. Once you have that you can do whatever to make things better for you in the long run.

[CrystalinNC]

Have you considered just working in a doctor's office? They hire ADNs often. You could also consider Hospice, but you'd better LOVE what you do. If it's the schedule that's bothering you, that can be worked around. If it's caring for patients and being there for them when they need you, then you really shouldn't be in any medical profession. I'm not hurling accusations, I'm just asking you to do some soul searching and figure out what has you so freaked out about it.

[desertstar6]

Quick question: Why did you want to do nursing in the first place?

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I'm gonna have to decline after the horror story validation. It doesn't mean it's because it's your first year that it sucked, it means that its just a sucky profession. I hope there are things I can apply for once I've obtained my BSN, it's probably going to be next to impossible w/o the bedside care, but I'm going to try.

Nursing is NOT a "sucky" profession. I love being a nurse and don't mind working some weekends and holidays. I understand that you may not like nursing but please refrain from disrespecting our profession.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Why are we convincing the OP to try nursing ? I commend her for realizing her disinterest in nursing now than later. What we don't need is another nurse who hates their job. It is no way to live, and makes for one annoyingly angry co-worker.

[TexMex22]

I agree with you, prnqday. I don't understand why some people are SO OFFENDED. It's her choice. I've met way too many nurses who are burned out, miserable and HATE their jobs, and worse, hate their patients. It's sad.

So OP knows it's not a good fit she's wise to move on now. Live and let live.

[caliotter3]

Quick question: Why did you want to do nursing in the first place?

Perhaps the $64,000 question.

[blessedNhopeful]

I agree with you, prnqday. I don't understand why some people are SO OFFENDED. It's her choice. I've met way too many nurses who are burned out, miserable and HATE their jobs, and worse, hate their patients. It's sad.

So OP knows it's not a good fit she's wise to move on now. Live and let live.

I think people are more offended by the fact that she insulted the profession and has never even worked in it. They understand she wants to move on and that's ok. Some want to encourage her to try it. But her whole attitude about a job she has never worked in just seems very offsetting. And the only reason she has these perceptions (from what it seems) is from hear say, and not personal experience.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

OP, I think you could benefit from some counseling for your anxiety. There is probably a lot going on here. Can't find a job, feeling trapped, having a lot of negative thinking that is based on what you read on anonymous internet boards.

People come here to complain. They don't write "had another great day! Helped a bunch of people!" We just don't do that often. We come here to vent and find validation.

I urge you to seek counseling if you have not already, and realistically explore your options.

[TexMex22]

I think people are more offended by the fact that she insulted the profession and has never even worked in it. They understand she wants to move on and that's ok. Some want to encourage her to try it. But her whole attitude about a job she has never worked in just seems very offsetting. And the only reason she has these perceptions (from what it seems) is from hear say, and not personal experience.

Again, I agree with you .. mostly. But she may have reasons that run deeper than are apparent in the post: anxiety, depression, who knows? Maybe OP had poor clinical experiences. Shocking to consider, I know, that floor nurses might treat a student so poorly and be so negative it would turn one off.

I'm still mystified as to why many are SO easily offended.